Hello. My name is
Diana Gonzalez
Born and raised in sunny San Antonio, TX and currently living my best life as a software engineer at USAA. I’m also juggling an MBA program (by choice, I promise) after already earning a Master’s in Computer Science and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering. When I’m not deep in code or textbooks, you’ll find me hiking, crafting something new, getting lost in a good book, or hanging out with my husband, our dogs, and our cat — who all think they run the house.
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Mentor
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About Me
I was born and raised in beautiful San Antonio, Texas, and I’ve proudly called it home my entire life. I’ve also been lucky enough to travel the world with my family, setting foot on 6 out of 7 continents — Africa is the final frontier, and I fully intend to get there one day.
I grew up with two incredible parents who encouraged my love for math, science, art, and kindness (and who never minded when the neighbors needed a cup of sugar). They gave me the freedom to choose my own path, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to do something that made the world a little brighter.
My passions are a colorful mix: creating art in every form, tinkering with smart devices, reading a great book, playing soccer and hiking, and spending time with my pets — Hazel (my sweet cat) and Daisy and Cody (my two goofy pups). I’m also blessed with a wonderful, loving husband who supports every dream I chase. He pushes me to be a better person each day, and I truly don’t think I would have accomplished half of what I’ve done without him cheering me on. As the middle child between an older brother and a younger sister, I’m surrounded by people who keep life entertaining and keep me young at heart.
I graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a double Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Mathematics, followed by a Master’s in Computer Science with dual concentrations in Data Analytics and Cyber Security. During my time at UTSA, I discovered a love for mentoring — first as a peer mentor for the Roadrunner Transition Experience and then as a teaching assistant, where I fell in love with the art of teaching. One day, I hope to return to the classroom as a college professor once I’ve grown further in my current career.
I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to intern at NASA, which gave me one of my earliest chances to work on meaningful, mission-driven projects and reinforced my passion for technology and innovation.
Today, I’m a software engineer at USAA, where I work on an amazing team responsible for the system that sends messages to over 13 million members. I’m currently spearheading efforts to modernize and replace a legacy system that's been in place for over 20 years — a project that’s both challenging and exciting, and one I’m grateful to help shape for the future.
Work Experience
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2019 - Present | Software Engineer | United Services Automobile Association - Headquarters
Create code and maintain the system responsible for distributing over 500 thousand messages to USAA members via all channels (email, SMS, PUSH, postal, etc.) daily.
2019 -
Summer 2018 | Intern | United Services Automobile Association - Headquarters
Assisted in creating the system that will eventually replace the current SENDs system that distributes messages to USAA members via all channels (email, SMS, PUSH, etc.) Worked primarily on the email portion of the system.
2018 -
Summer 2017 | Intern | National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Kennedy Space Center
Created and designed a website for the NASA education department to assist future interns and house pertinent information for intern arrival. Managed, analyzed, and output sets of data dependent on demographics for dissemination among middle and high school students. Presented with colleagues to 50+ Launch Services Program directors and personnel about cross generation collaboration and communication strategies.
2017 -
2017 - 2018 | Undergraduate Teaching Assistant | Computer and Electrical Engineering Department - UTSA
Created and led study sessions for 50+ students enrolled in the Logic Design classes, provided tutoring to students who sought additional support to remediate test scores, and assisted in creation of test material.
2017 -
2016 - 2018 | Lead Peer Mentor | Roadrunner Transition Experience - UTSA
Created code and maintained a database of mentee demographics, program participation and engagement, and mentor contact of over 500 mentees. Lead projects and oversaw collaborations amoung mentors for the Mentor Monday YouTube Live Stream which had over 850 views. Mentored incoming transfer and military students, presented academic tips/program information to new students and at various conferences.
2016 -
2015 | Sales Associate | Staples - San Antonio,TX
Assisted in sales, repairs, and restoration of computers, tablets, computer software, and printers. Earned Employee of the Month for the month of March.
2015
Education
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University of Texas at San Antonio | Master's Degree | Graduated: December, 2022
Graduated with a Master's in Computer Science with double concentrations in Data Science and Cyber Security.
2020 -
University of Texas at San Antonio | Bachelor's Degree | Graduated: December, 2018
Graduated with two Bachelors Degrees, one in Computer Engineering and one in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics
2015 -
Tom C. Clark High School | High School | Graduated: June, 2015
Graduated in the top 5th percentile.
2011
Relevant Experience
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2016 - 2020 | Mentored robotics teams at STEM Early College High School.
Guided students through building and programming phases for FIRST Tech Challenge Competitions. Provided insight on the engineering process weekly, 50+ hours of dedicated volunteer in the class room with the students per semester.
2016 -
Spring 2016 | Creation of data acquisition system for implementation of racecar.
Researched and wrote code for the data acquisition system for racecar being built for the Society of Automotive Engineers. Programmed a chip that helped with analysis of the car's performance throughout test runs. Collaborated with a team of 5 students to code DAQ in C programming.
2016 -
Spring 2016 | Research assistant in Biomedical Engineering lab at UTSA.
Assisted in running density tests, created 3D molds and designs in Solid Works.
2016 -
2014 - 2015 | Volunteered at neurological clinic
Shadowed and assisted Dr. Jerry Tomasovic in neurological clinic/research facility with in-taking and seeing patients.
2014 -
2014 - 2015 | Northside Independent School District (N.I.S.D.) Independent Study Mentorship Program participant
Studied Neural Engineering by shadowing Dr. Jerry Tomasovic in neurological clinic/research facility. Final product was a study of migraines and their effect on children. Additional product included an interactive video book created for clinic to help close the gap between patient and doctor.
2014 -
2013 - 2014 | Early Development of General Engineers (E.D.G.E.) Program participant
Participated in Sumobot Competition, earning 4th place in 2013. Oversaw and assisted students in Sumobot Competition in 2014. Completed over 16 hours of college credit at San Antonio Community College.
2013
Awards, Recognitions, and Roles
- 2018 Mrs. Engineering
- 2018 Distinguished Student of the Year - Engineering Department
- August 2017 Promoted to Lead Peer Mentor
- April 2017 Founder of Gateway
- April 2017 Founding Member of Velox Racing
- March 2017 Elected to Public Relations Chair for Tau Beta Pi
- 2017 Feminism in the Modern Political Climate Conference Speaker
- 2016 - 2018 Ambassador for the College of Engineering
- 2016 & 2017 Tomas Rivera Center ASSETs Symposium Speaker
- 2015 - 2018 Presidential Scholarship Recipient
- 2014 - 2015 UIL Academic Decathlon Participant
Organizations
- 2017 - Present The National Society of Leadership and Success
- 2017 - 2018 Gateway Student Organization
- 2017 Velox Racing: Electric Car Student Organization
- 2016 - Present Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
- 2016 - Present Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
- 2016 - 2017 Society of Automotive Engineers at UTSA
- 2015 - Present Society of Women Engineers at UTSA
- 2013 - 2015 Red Cross Club at Tom C Clark High School
- 2012 - 2014 Member of Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement Program at San Antonio College
Programming Languages
Java
C/C++
HTML
Python
Spoken Languages
Computer Skills
Other Skills
Creative Thinker
Team Focus
Problem Solver
Leadership